With so many new cookbooks coming out every month it can be incredibly difficult to figure out which books are worth purchasing and which will only sit around gathering dust. This is why I spend a good portion of my evenings combing through different cookbooks trying to find the best new releases to share with you. In the last four months I've had over 100 cookbooks pass through my kitchen for review and none of them have left quite the impression that this book has. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is the most fun I've had with a cookbook all year. Ladies, if you have a man in your life who loves to cook you need to pick them up a copy of this book. While you're at it make sure you pick up a blowtorch. I know that sounds like an odd combination, but trust me, there is nothing like cooking with a hand held open flame. I have yet to meet a man that doesn't have just a little bit of a pyromaniac in them.

Even if you aren't convinced a blowtorch is a necessity in the kitchen this book is still worth a closer look. It has something for every occasion and skill level. Many of the basics are covered with step-by-step directions perfect for beginning cooks. More advanced cooks looking to try their hand at something new might be interested in the cooking techniques for birds, rabbits, and lamb that are sure to offer a bit of a challenge. Even vegetarians will find something in this book as a number of the recipes give quick and easy ways to make the meal vegetarian friendly. This is especially handy if you know you'll be having a vegetarian guest for dinner. As I said, this book has something for everyone in it and would be an excellent addition to any kitchen. Oh and did I mention how much fun cooking with a blowtorch is?

Some of the recipes that caught my eye:

Chili (or the 10 steps to chili enlightenment)

The Wisconsinite (Cheddar and Bratwurst grilled cheese)

Bacon-wrapped scallops w/ scotch whiskey glaze

Belgian beer brownies

Salami chips, pepperoni chips, and prosciutto chips

Hooker's Spaghetti

Linguine w/ creamy clam sauce

Recipes with a blowtorch:

Blowtorch oatmeal

Blowtorch salmon

Bananas Foster

Where to Purchase

Disclosure

This book was sent to me for review by Workman Publishing Company through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own.

This post contains my Amazon affiliate links. I try to keep advertising unobtrusive and to a minimum in order to provide you with the best experience possible. Purchases made through these links provide me with a small income and ensure I can continue providing you with quality content.

This may surprise you, but I don't follow many other bloggers. I just never seem to find the time to keep up with my RSS feed, so I've paired it down to what I consider the essentials, Smitten Kitchen, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, Food in Jars, and of course David Lebovitz make the list, with a few others that rotate in and out depending on my current interests. Lebovitz first came across my radar when he released his book The Perfect Scoop in 2010, which couldn't have come out at a better time considering I had just bought an ice cream maker and was in need of some inspiration. Since then I've been a regular follower of his blog; I love his writing style, his recipes, and the stories he tells about adjusting to life in France.

When I originally requested access to the e-galley of My Paris Kitchen I was promptly turned down, which as a writer is something I'm becoming more and more used to. Much like life as an artist, life as a writer is full of rejection [insert dramatic sigh here.] Fortunately, my disappointment of facing rejection yet again didn't last long, a few weeks after my initial request Ten Speed Press granted me access. I have to admit, when I saw the notification email I went a little fan girl. It's entirely possible that I jumped up and down and may even have squealed a bit.

Don't judge me too harshly for that.

This is one of the few cookbooks that I've sat down and read from cover to cover. More often than not I get bored with long blocks of text in a cookbook and find myself flipping through to have a peak at the recipes. That wasn't the case with this book. As I turned the pages I found myself nodding in agreement time and time again with something the author said. My reading of the introduction went something like this:

David: My own cooking is influenced by where I've lived, and where I am now.

David: We've become more and more dependent on recipes to tell us each and every detail, so we don't have to think for ourselves. Or we've somehow become afraid to trust our own instincts.

Me: nod, nod... Sad, but true, especially when it comes to young cooks who don't yet have the confidence in the kitchen that is only gained by time. I've often felt that people should learn to trust their sense of taste more, but it can be such a hard thing to do.

By the time the introduction was over my neck was stiff from all the nodding, I was already half in love with this book, and I hadn't even gotten to the recipes yet. While the book includes many of the expected classics such as Soupe à l’oignon and Coq au Vin, it is so much more than a cookbook. You'll quickly find yourself transported to Paris, at least in mind if not body, as David tells story after story about his experiences in France. I especially enjoyed hearing about shopping for ingredients in the markets, pastry shops, and bakeries, but also how different life in France can be from what we know in America. If you are interested in France or modern French cuisine then I suggest picking up a copy of this book, it won't disappoint, and the recipes are fabulous.

In case you were wondering, here are some of the recipes that caught my eye.

Read more about the making of My Paris Kitchen over on David's blog. His post gives an in-depth behind-the-scenes accounting of what it took from start to finish to get this book on the shelves.

I'm traveling right now, so I won't be posting photos from the cookbook to my instagram feed like I normally do. I will be posting plenty of photos from my time in France, so make sure to stop by and check them out.

Where to Purchase

Disclosure

This book was sent to me for review by Ten Speed Press. As always, all opinions are my own.

This post contains my Amazon affiliate links. I try to keep advertising unobtrusive and to a minimum in order to provide you with the best experience possible. Purchases made through these links provide me with a small income and ensure I can continue providing you with quality content.

Things have been a bit hectic around here lately and I wanted to give you all a quick update and share some exciting news that I've been keeping close to my chest. If you follow me on twitter then you may have caught my brief mention about this a month or so back, but one month from today I'll crossing the pond and spending two weeks in France. I'm excited beyond words since this is my first trip to Europe and it's been two years since I've left the country.

Even though I still have a month until I leave my mouth is already watering at the though of spending two weeks enjoying the the numerous culinary delights I'm sure to encounter. No one approaches food quite like the French, they've truly turned it into an art form. While I'm fortunate to have two weeks to explore and learn, I can't help but be a little disappointed that I don't have more time. There is so much I want to do and see while I'm there.

France isn't the only trip I have planned, I'm actually going to be spending the better part of the next six weeks on the road and in the air. I'll be starting out in St. Louis where I'll be spending ten days with my family before my little brother's wedding. It will be great to be home, especially since I haven't been able to visit much in the past year. I can't wait to catch up with everyone and celebrate not only my brother's wedding, but my 31st birthday.

I'm another year older, hopefully a little bit wiser, and I've found my first grey hair (but lets keep that a secret, just between you, me, and the rest of the internet.)

While I'm gone things should proceed pretty much uninterrupted although my social media presence is going to come to a complete standstill. I've decided to leave my cell phone and laptop at home while I'm off gallivanting around the world. I never imagined that blogging would become such an all-consuming presence in my life. Since I started this blog nearly a year ago things have really taken off and while I love spending hours in the kitchen coming up with new dishes to share, as well as reading your questions and comments, I need a chance to recharge my creative batteries.

It's going to be hard to be without you over the next few weeks, you've all become a huge part in my life, but I haven't had a chance to disconnect for more than a day since I started blogging. I'm looking forward to the quiet, the lack of a schedule to follow, and the influence my time in France will give me. Since you won't be able to be there with me and I didn't want to leave you here all alone, I've written a few things ahead of time to give you a small taste of France right here at home.

When I return from my travels I'll be back with a vengeance with even more to share. In the meantime feel free to keep leaving comments and sending me your questions. I love to hear from you!